2020 ANNUAL REPORT Mission Statement The mission of BusNSW is to foster the efficient and sustainable growth of public transport and in doing so, to promote the benefits of bus and coach transport in NSW. To achieve this goal BusNSW offers its members a range of services, including business development and advocacy, designed to promote and enhance bus and coach transport for the benefit of the community. 2 | BusNSW ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Contents Mission Statement 2 President’s Message 4 Executive Director’s Introduction 5 Industry Environment and the Year in Brief 6 Member and Community Outcomes 8 State and National Representation 11 Reports on Selected Topics 13 NSW Government Projects and Programs 15 Industrial Relations 17 Industry Training 20 Technical and Regulatory Matters 22 Coach and Charter Sector 24 Submissions to Government 26 Major Events 28 Member Services 29 BusNSW Partner Program 31 BusNSW Website 32 BusNSW ‘Co-op’ 33 Financial and Auditors 34 Tasplan Superannuation Report 35 BusInsure Report 36 About BusNSW 37 BusNSW’s Office Bearers for the 2020 Year 38 BusNSW Privacy Policy 39 BusNSW Regional Seminars Tour, Tamworth NSW BusNSW ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 3 President’s Message This year started with the devastating bushfires across the State which affected members, staff, families, and communities. What then transpired from March 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is unprecedented. Members had and continue to have the challenging task of managing the provision of essential public transport services and the health and safety of employees and passengers. The COVID-19 outbreaks in Sydney and other parts of the state during the year required operators to be vigilant and continuously implement controls to minimise the risk of staff and passenger exposure to COVID-19. Through this difficult period, BusNSW has been conscious of how the pandemic affected different sectors of the industry, and our strong focus has been on providing members with resources to help them deal with their day- to-day business activities. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption to the long distance, tourist, and charter sector of the industry. BusNSW recommended that the NSW Government implement 12 initiatives to ensure the ongoing viability of operators in this sector. BusNSW also encouraged members to get involved in a “Get your group – back on the road” social media campaign and updated the BusNSW Charter Brochure to supplement this campaign to build confidence in group travel. Dealing with COVID has strengthened our relationship with the NSW Government. During 2020 we were in regular contact with Ministers Constance, Toole, Ayres, and Mitchell on issues relating to transport, tourism, and education. BusNSW also communicated on a regular basis with several Transport for NSW divisions, as issues such as physical distancing, cleaning, face masks and the need for financial support, emerged during the year. This year saw a further focus on the adoption of innovative technology, with Transport for NSW calling for expressions of interest from leaders in the energy, transport, manufacturing, and finance sectors to take part in trials of zero emission buses. These trials will be undertaken in partnership with transport operators in the Sydney and Outer metropolitan areas and are part of a strategy to transition the entire public bus fleet to zero emissions. The Legislative Assembly of NSW Committee on Transport and Infrastructure completed its report into electric buses in regional and metropolitan public transport networks in NSW. BusNSW has suggested that electric buses be introduced gradually given the scale of change needed, and the continued improvements to electric vehicle technology and energy generation. Our ability to deal with the many issues that have confronted us this year highlights the importance of a member- based organisation that is able to share solutions. It also highlighted the importance of fostering the talent of the people and the innovative ideas that can be found within our industry. I would like to thank the Board of Management, Branch office bearers, committee members and staff for their contribution to BusNSW during 2020. Next year will present different challenges as we deal with the “new normal” and I look forward to your continued support for the association and a united industry. John King PRESIDENT 4 | BusNSW ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Executive Director’s Introduction It has certainly been a year like no other as the industry faced many and varied challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, bushfires, floods, and drought. There has been a need to support members as never before and for operators, suppliers, and government to care for each other. The easing of some restrictions towards the end of the year offered early signs of what a post-pandemic public transportation landscape might look like. BusNSW had the task of helping members to be dynamic in dealing with the challenges presented by COVID-19 during 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic created particularly challenging times for the long distance, tourist and charter sector of the bus and coach industry. The Australian Government’s historic JobKeeper payment was an important initiative to help operators and employees in this sector to stay connected. COVID-19 also affected industry suppliers, with uncertainty over future demand for new vehicles. The TfNSW bus procurement panel portal reopened in April 2020 to facilitate orders, including those resulting from the rural and regional seatbelt program taskforce report recommendations. The outbreak and spread of Covid-19 served to highlight just how reliant the public are on bus workers to keep the state moving. Supplying essential bus services during this time needed strong and regular interaction between the association, NSW Government, the Transport Workers Union and industry stakeholders. Without the dedication of our many members and their staff, we would have seen people, including those involved in health and emergency services, struggle to get to work and school children denied access to on campus learning. During the year BusNSW paid tribute to bus workers and this was supported by a social media campaign to thank bus workers for keeping NSW moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. Face-to-face engagement with members and stakeholders is a big focus for BusNSW, and COVID-19 required us to use new communication channels, including the BusNSW video-conferencing system. We hope to return to our normal events program in 2021 and will be hosting the Australasia Bus and Coach Expo on 29 and 30 September 2021 at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic and implementation of risk controls has dominated the agenda for most of 2020, BusNSW continued to represent member interests in regard to many other areas. These relate to contracts, accreditation, legislation, industrial relations, technical specifications, bus safety, vehicle standards and new technology. This annual report provides members with details of the association’s comprehensive work program, including our advocacy, submissions and achievements. On behalf of the BusNSW Board of Management, I would like to thank all members and industry stakeholders for your support in what has been a very challenging year. Matt Threlkeld EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BusNSW ANNUAL REPORT 2020 | 5 Custom Bus While the contracted sector of the industry was bolstered by Industry the continuation of regular passenger and school services, operations were nonetheless impacted by COVID. Physical distancing between bus drivers and passengers, increased bus cleaning and hygiene measures, the use of face masks by Environment and passengers and drivers, COVID-Safe Plans and stickers, and the protection of older and vulnerable drivers, were all part of the association’s work program for 2020. The outbreak and the Year in Brief spread of COVID served to highlight how reliant the public are on bus operators, drivers and the services they provide. COVID-19 was the central issue for the bus and coach industry in 2020. The Coronavirus pandemic is unprecedented and Beyond COVID, there were several new initiatives in the bus caused a massive disruption, particularly to the Long Distance, contracting space. In 2020, TfNSW commenced a competitive Tourist and Charter (LDTC) sector of the industry. tendering process for 13 bus contracts that cover the Sydney Metropolitan area. First to go to tender were Metropolitan Bus Operators in the LDTC sector are not protected by State Regions 7 (North-West Sydney), 8 (Northern Beaches) and Government contracts and have substantial investment in 9 (Eastern Suburbs). These are the three remaining regions assets including buses and depots. The COVID pandemic serviced by State Transit and, when the tendering process is which directly followed the devastation of the NSW bushfires, completed, all bus services in NSW will be privately run. The led to the cancellation of airline services, cruise ships, major NSW Government is seeking for the private sector to deliver events and transport for school, pensioner, and social groups. more efficient and cost-effective bus services, and the most This left LDTC operators and their employees in a precarious recent tendering process is recognition of this. situation. Many were forced to lay off staff and put their businesses into hibernation. New contract negotiations for Outer Metropolitan regions (Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, and the Illawarra) As a result, most of BusNSW’s advocacy for 2020 centred also began in 2020. Incumbent OMBSC operators have been on lobbying the Government for support measures to help offered the opportunity to negotiate new contracts based on a operators to stay afloat through the pandemic. BusNSW value for money proposition for the government. also encouraged the NSW Government to stimulate work opportunities for LDTC operators, including bringing forward rail Rural and regional bus operators are in the fourth year of maintenance work and flow-on rail replacement bus services, their 7-year contracts. In 2020, Minister Tool accepted and reigniting school and other charters.